Friday, 10 February 2006

The Return of the Red Kite to Scotland.

Good Afternoon, Yesterday we set off to go and look for a Great Grey Shrike that we had heard was in our area. The morning was bright cold and sunny when we left and we headed up to Crieff once through the little town we drove to The Sma' Glen one our gems it is uphill all the way from Crieff and as we climbed up we saw a wonderful sight 3 Red Kites and 2 Common Buzzard in the sky together we managed to get stopped at the side of the road so we could watch through the binoculars. The Kites are very colourful birds and with the sun on their back they looked magnificent. Red Kites were reintroduced to Scotland a few years ago and are really doing well they eat mainly carrion so they do not do any harm to farms but we still get one or two poisonings per year. Back in the cosy car we carried on to the spot we heard the Shrike was. We parked the car and walked up the hill sun on our backs and all was well. The bird was nowhere to be seen and after about 15 minutes walking we turned to head back. There was a wind blowing in our face that would have cut you in two we had not noticed this on the way up but boy did we know it was there on the way back. So no Great Grey Shrike today maybe another day. We continued our run in the car to Loch Tay and Aberfeldy. Took a lot of pictures which I put in my other journal the one of the Kite is not one of mine. Where to next? Love

Hubby and I often go kite watching, they have been doing well in the Chiltern Hills for many years now and are spreading outward into North Buckinghamshire. Beautiful birds they are. I've noticed a general increase in birds of prey populations around here. Buzzards, kestrels and sparrowhawks are the most common. Have a little hobby who pays us a visit now and then. You live in a wonderful area for seeing the sights - feel quite envious. Take care.Sylvia xx

Scotland is a wonderful place to birdwatch. Here in Brighton we have a pair of Peregrine Falcons that live on the roof of a block of flats in the city centre. I often see them flying round and they sometimes come and sit on my roof waiting to catch pigeons and starlings. I could watch their aerobatics all day!! Jeannette.

Birds Unlimited

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About Me

Hi, I'm Joan I live in Scotland with my hubby of 48 years. We are both retired and enjoying life to the full well nearly. We are always out and about doing this and that. We love the countryside and do a bit of birdwatching and even twitch from time to time. We also visit art galleries and hubby does a bit of watercolour painting. Me I read a lot mainly thillers. I have been been keeping a journal for over five years over on AOL but we are being thrown out so this is my new home.